Real Estate

Summary: Success doesn’t come easy as a landlord. Passive income might sound promising but there’s always a substantial amount of work put in beforehand.

In today’s property ownership, there are plenty of good landlords but few great ones.

This guide will showcase how you can elevate your success to new heights.

Making the Right “Business” Decisions

Many landlords tend to flop because they don’t treat their business like a business. Meaning, they don’t make the right decisions and tend to treat their investment like a hobby. This is the ultimate no-no. When you take the time to coordinate the proper system and organization, great things can happen. Do you have the correct systems in place to minimize maintenance concerns without being directly involved? What if you’re out of town and a water supply line suddenly breaks? Are you going to cut your trip short to fix it or do you have an emergency system in place to care for the mess?

Shift your perspective from a hobby to a business owner – it tends to work out much better this way.

Screening

Running criminal background checks for every applicant is a waste of money. Prospects that might be interested could suddenly change their mind and leave you for another apartment leaving you wasting your money.

Don’t run your property on emotion. Screen the applicants and weed out the bad apples. It’s one thing to trust them based on instinct, but it’s another to have tangible proof that they’re financially responsible and won’t give you any problems during their tenure. And you’d best believe that you’d have some tenants that’ll try and get you to cut them some slack due to a “financial emergency”. Draw the line between being friendly and professional. You’ll never find true business success without implementing a specific and strict system for your applicants.

Respect

You might not like your tenants, but that’s no excuse to not show them the respect they deserve. Like a business, they’re your clients, and they’re essentially supplying your passive income. Don’t let your personal feelings get in the way of a business relationship. This is a common rule of thumb. Tenants expect to be treated fairly no matter what type of relationship you have with them. Many landlords feel superior because they own property. Here’s a tip for you: get off your high horse. Owning property doesn’t make you more important than the person next to you – so don’t act like it. Always treat each tenant with respect and dignity and it will pay dividends in the long run.

To save thousands of dollars over the course of your mortgage, consider paying it off sooner.

Owning a home involves making a lucrative investment. It’s important that you consider this before purchasing your home. Most homeowners take out a mortgage in order to meet the financial requirements of purchasing the property. Now, while it may allow you to be an official owner, it also comes with its caveats – like having to pay a high monthly amount. So, the question is, should you accelerate the process in which you pay it? Or, should you invest your money elsewhere?

Why You Should Pay off Your Mortgage

First and foremost, paying off a mortgage sooner will allow you to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run. Depending on your interest, you could be in for a long and harsh financial road along the line. It may be a daunting move, but, you will end up paying off your mortgage much quicker than you expect it, and save money in the process. But this move isn’t for everybody, as you’ll find that most homeowners would rather use their money elsewhere. It ultimately takes dedication to perform this feat – and most importantly a stable income.

But, most homeowners cannot afford to raise their monthly payments in order to rid of their mortgage. This cannot be avoided and it’s important that you plan ahead financially in order to maximize your overall income.

Skeptics claim that paying off your mortgage sooner brings more problems in the long run. While many of the points are valid, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to pay off your mortgage on a timely basis.

Richmond, Virginia, has been a political center since colonists settled it in the 1700s, and that history is written in its beautiful classical architecture. Incorporated in 1742 and named after its resemblance to London’s Richmond Hill, Richmond, Virginia played home to Patrick Henry’s famous 1775 speech “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death,” and was set aflame once by British troops in 1781 and again in 1865 by retreating Confederate soldiers. Despite these setbacks, Richmond established itself as a major industrial power, and for decades produced incredible quantities of iron, flour, and tobacco. Technologically speaking, Richmond was groundbreaking: the city was home to the first triple railroad crossing and the first successful electrical trolley system in the United States, which can still be seen throughout the city today.

More recently, Richmond has undergone a period of growth, with over 700 buildings constructed from 1963-1965. In 1995, a multi-million dollar floodwall was constructed in the city’s low-lying areas surrounded by the James River. Since then, the River District has since experienced a surge of cultural growth, and is now home to much of the city’s entertainment and nightlife. If you’re planning on moving to Richmond in the near future, look online for your real estate needs. In the meantime, check out these beautiful and interesting Richmond neighborhoods.

The Fan

Influenced by the 19th century City Beautiful movement, The Fan is one of the most beautiful historic districts in Richmond, let alone the entire United States. The 85-block neighborhood derives its name from its eponymous shape, and is known for its variety of older architectural styles: Italianate, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival styles share the same streets, which are guided by the tracks of a 19th century trolley. Townhouses, duplexes, and carriage houses comprise the majority of the area’s not-inexpensive housing, but the area’s pricing is offset by the high quality of its public schools and excellent restaurants. The neighborhood’s beauty also lends itself perfectly to daylong strolls, where residents will bump elbows with students from Virginia Commonwealth University, lawyers, doctors, artists, and Old Society.

Jackson Ward

Jackson Ward rose to prominence in the post-Civil War South, when previously freed blacks joined newly freed blacks in an area that would later earn two prominent nicknames: “Black Wall Street of America” for its business community, and the “Harlem of the South” for its entertainment. The area’s Hippodrome Theatre hosted jazz greats such as Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald; African-American and notable Jackson Ward resident Maggie L. Walker was the first woman to serve as president for an American bank. The desegregation that followed the end of the Civil Rights movement caused black Virginians to spread out across the city, thereby leading to the decline of Jackson Ward as the center of the black community.

More recently, however, restoration efforts have increased the community’s vitality. The First Fridays Art Walk showcases the area’s unique culture, including live salsa and jazz music as well as soul food. This revival inspired Southern Living Magazine, who recently named Jackson Ward one of the best neighborhoods in the country. Aware of its reputation for crime, the neighborhood’s current residents debate passionately that the neighborhood’s reputation for danger is undeserved: since the 1990s, its crime rate has fallen drastically.

Church Hill

An overview of Richmond’s historical districts would be incomplete without Church Hill, the city’s first historic district. The area is known for its array of old and beautiful churches, including St. John’s Episcopal, where Patrick Henry gave his famous aforementioned speech. It also forms the eastern point of the Broad Street, which connects many of Richmond’s commercial businesses. Residents love walking through and into the area’s f restaurants and pubs, which are spread between historical landmarks and sleepy streets.

Making Your Choice

With these three historical districts offering a small yet significant section of Richmond’s rich history, it’s no wonder that Richmond’s residents constantly champion their love for their city’s past and its positive future. Of course, feel free to investigate the numerous other lovely historical neighborhoods and discover which one is right for you.

Real estate in Richmond Virginia has experienced quite a surge in recent years, with houses gaining more and more appeal. According to figures compiled by Central Virginia Region MLS, units of houses sold in Virginia have risen by an average of 9% in 2013, the overall sales rise figure was at about 11.4% in 2013. The rise was estimated at 8% in 2012.

Popular demands for homes in Virginia include Henrico county, Richmond and Chesterfield homes. The demand for Richmond homes for sale has considerably increased and several reasons can be attributed to this rise. First and foremost, inventory in the market is facing a good amount of stability. This is after sellers had experienced large drops in the number of houses up for sale. Moreover, an increased number of homeowners have regained trust in the equity and value of their houses, making them more prone to selling their property.

All throughout the state of Virginia, 2013 was the third consecutive positive year for the real estate market. The steady growth and recovery has brought back trust in the housing market of the region. Moreover, another positive sign in the market is that the sales figures have not plateaued. This implies that the growth and recovery would continue for several more years to come. Overall, Virginia’s real estate market is experiencing a steady growth and the region has also seen a decline in the number of distressed properties.

The Steele Group Sotheby’s International Realty provides the services of a Virginia realtor to people looking forward to relocate to Richmond. A realtor in Richmond VA is also able to provide deals on houses in the region.

Sometimes your job is just not within commuting distance from your home and you might have no other choice than to relocate. Relocating can be good for your career. Below you will find a list of factors to consider before relocating for a job.

Relocation contracts are legally-binding.

If your company is bearing the cost of your relocation, they will probably ask you to sign a document that would state all the details of the relocation. This is a legal document and you would be bound by the terms upon signing it. Read the terms carefully to see whether you agree with everything that is stipulated on the contract.

Think about your spouse and children.

When deciding to relocate you would have to think about the career of your spouse and the studies of your children. Try to find out beforehand on the impact that the move may have on your spouse and children’s academic life. Will your spouse be able to find a good job that will suit his/her skills? Will your children be able to adapt to the change in location? All these would have to be considered.

Virginia offers great choice in terms of school and job opportunities. You can relocate to Richmond to boost your career. A virginia real estate agent could help you find the right home for relocation. The Steele Group Sotheby’s International Realty can help you find Chesterfield county real estate and new homes in Virginia.

If you’re looking to invest these days, land is always a safe bet. After all, it’s like they say about land, they’re not making any more of it. Therefore, land will continue to underwhelm demand which means it will continue to raise in value. However, unless you find the right land, it could be a while before you ever see any returns worth talking about.

Fortunately, there are some easy wins out there. Virginia is a perfect example. It’s located right on the Atlantic and not far from the nation’s capital, Washington D.C. It’s a good slice of land too, meaning there are all kinds of options to choose from for your goals and budget.

Richmond will always be an attractive area, as will Arlington and Alexandria. However, think about areas like Blacksburg and Bristol, out in the mountains, where you have vast tracks of land that could be yours.

Chesterfield homes are great idea for investments too. These are already made, so you’ll save money on development costs. A good home sale in Virginia could easily be just what you need to make a quick buck too, by flipping the property.

Relocate to Richmond has been in the business of helping people fall in love with Virginia since1949. Whether you’re looking to move, just need a second residence or are looking to invest, Virginia is full of options and this company can help you explore and get the most out of every single one.

Real estate agents, especially newbies, are finding themselves in an increasingly competitive environment searching for buyers and sellers. Although sales are higher than they were, the market is still very tight and deals can be elusive. That’s why it’s important to build a sphere of influence in your region, so that people around you keep your name in their minds when they are ready to make their moves. Following these methods, you’ll be able to maintain contact lists and keep yourself available to your clients.

Attend Conventions

Try to attend some conventions in your area on home improvement, home buying, or just general real estate topics. Being part of the knowledge circuit will help you brand yourself as an expert. Use your experience to inform your talks, like sharing stories you have about investments gone right. Don’t draw directly from your clients, that borders on unethical, but you can certainly use your experience to inform your discussions.

With work, and a snappy slideshow, you can make the circuit of most conventions if you decide to keep up with it. Speaking at even one of these shows would vastly increase your visibility, and would help to establish your own name as a brand.

Practical Freebies

Every agent is used to carrying a business card, and indulging in a bit of advertising here and there. Try to think practical with your branding, like purchasing branded versions of things people need. For instance, could you order small tape measures with your name and phone number on them to use during a showing? Perhaps pens or note pads with your branding, so that clients can draw layouts as they browse your open house. Thinking outside the box, and doing it well, also has a certain “wow” factor for new viewers.

By: Kuba Jewgieniew is the CEO of Realty ONE Group, a lifestyle brand and real estate brokerage firm based out of Irvine, California. Kuba Jewgieniew is a former stock broker with a passion for data-driven sales.

Are you living in New Jersey? Perhaps in a neighborhood such as Ridgewood NJ? If so, do you need to worry about financial security or financial stability? The answer to that question, is actually another question. And that is “Are you able to live within your means?” That means that you should not spend like you’re rich. As a matter of fact, even rich people spend like they earn minimum wage – save of course, all the nice and expensive shiny things that they already have. You should not live beyond your means; this is what you should take from all of this. Become financially stable does not have to mean that you earn a six-figure salary. If you work hard, and you have all the qualifications, you will be able to get to that point in your career. But in the meantime that you are earning a median salary, you should learn how to spend what you can, and save whatever else you don’t spend. Do not be fooled by credit cards and their credit limits, that does not mean that you are rich. What determines whether or not you are rich is your bank balance, and the number of assets that you have under your name. That just goes to say that you should not be buying something worth ten thousand dollars when in fact you make about twice that amount in a year. Do not buy something you cannot pay off. That’s the trick to it, and those are words to live by.

Virginia is a really nice place to live in. You can ask anyone from the streets and the neighborhood that surround the place. Everyone will testify that families should live in Virginia because it offers a lot for all the members. Kids will definitely love growing up in Virginia because there are plenty of activities for them to do. The same can be said for the parents because they will truly enjoy the recreational activities that Virginia has to offer. It is best to look at listings that feature home sale Virginia so that you would be able to know the available homes that you and your family can acquire. Let us help you in looking for that dream home that you have long thought about. Your family deserves a great home, one that they will be truly proud of.

So do not be thrifty when you are buying a new home, it is a great investment so spending a little more will do you good. Good for you we are experts at what we do so we will find you the perfect house that will give you the true value of your money. If you are looking for the listings of real estate Richmond VA, come to us and we will share to you all the great deals on houses that will meet the criterions that you and your family have agreed upon as soon as you decided that you would want to move to Virginia. We can help you get the house of your dreams.

With our help, we will give you a great realtor in Richmond Virginia that will assist you in finding the perfect home that will surely make you and your family happy. Trust our services and we will do a lot for you.

Starting your hunt for you next house can be stressful. Of course it starts out full of fun, but that fun soon turns to stress when trying to uncover potential problems in a house. You need to know what to look for before you make the circuit.

Making sure the basement is dry is a first. The health of the entire house and your family depends on it. If it is not dry, move on.

Make sure the two most expensive rooms to renovate are in top shape: the kitchen and the bathroom. You do not want to shell out a fortune to repair either of these.

Ignoring the superficial trappings, like granite counter tops and cherry cabinets, examine the overall layout of the house. Imagine the flow and make sure you do not have doors opening into the corner of a room. This is a poor use of space and a break in the flow of usage.

Everyone checks the roof, so do not forget to. You should have a couple of decades left on it. Also, examine the siding while you are at it. There should be no obvious deterioration, because it will be expensive to replace.

Lastly, one of the most important issues is zoning. You will want to visit the tax or records office to find out about the zoning for neighboring properties. After all, you could wake up tomorrow to find a commercial building across the street or multifamily homes a couple of houses away.

This is not something you need to worry about when using a realtor like Jerry Armen.